Four-metre shark killed Tas diver: coroner

Forensic tests found that a great white shark of up to 4.2 metres long killed an experienced diver off the east coast of Tasmania.

Hobart man Damian John Johnson, 46, died in July 2015 when diving in the Mercury Passage with his 20-year-old daughter, and coroner Olivia McTaggart on Monday published her findings based on the evidence of shark experts.

"They underwent a detailed analysis of the bite marks, injuries and damage to Mr Johnson's dive gear for the purpose of determining the type and size of the shark and the manner of the attack," Ms McTaggart said.

Scrapes including those found on Mr Johnson's weight belt were consistent with the serrated teeth of a great white shark.

"The injuries sustained to Mr Johnson and the damage to the dive gear suggest at least two major bites," she continued.

"Estimates of tooth base width based on measurements taken from the dive gear suggest a shark of 3.9 - 4.2 metres in length was responsible for the damage."

During their early morning dive, Mr Johnson and his daughter returned to their boat with a haul of scallops and realising they were below their legal catch limit, he returned for more.